GETTING BACK INTO the swing of things after time away from golf can be difficult.

A few weeks away from the course can cause complications, months can create doubts and years can wash away any previously existing level of comfort and confidence entirely.

Recently, a reader emailed and opened with flattery, which elicits the same response out of me as a pet dog or cat getting their ears rubbed: full, undivided attention.

She wrote that reading my column made her wistful about playing more golf.

It had been more than a decade since she had been out for a round and she feels a little intimidated about walking onto a course again.

The reader also has a friend who is new to the game and wants to play but lacks confidence in her game.

The reader had played most of her rounds in Texas and didn’t have a good idea about what courses are friendly to new or rusty golfers here on the North Olympic Peninsula.

Short answer: all of them would be able to help in this regard.

Every golf course worth its salt (and they are all worth their salt here on the NOP) is interested in helping new players learn the game or easing returners back to the course.

I would suggest booking an hour with any of the teaching pros at area courses.

They can provide an expert look at what positives you have going for you and will give pointers on any mechanical issue they notice in watching your swing.

They’ll also provide instruction with setup and alignment to help get things going in the right direction.

Right now, with winter looming, practicing golfers are pretty much restricted to hitting balls off of artificial mats at driving ranges — I’m not 100 percent certain that every course has closed off the natural grass portions of their ranges, so phone ahead if this is a deal-breaker.

Peninsula Golf Club in Port Angeles has the only covered range stalls around if you are interested in getting out of the elements.

All area courses have practice putting greens, some with chipping areas and some with practice sand traps.

This is where all golfers should spend the majority of their practice time if you believe the oft-cited conventional wisdom of 60 percent of shots coming within 100 yards of the flag.

The reader also asked about what days and times are best for inexperienced golfers.

Right now, with limited daylight, I would avoid early mornings and instead play around lunchtime, teeing off somewhere from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This would give plenty of time for 18 holes and just enough time to get a well-paced nine holes in.

Other good times are when other sporting events are occurring: courses can be pretty sparse during Seahawks football games on Sundays.

In late spring and summer, take advantage of twilight times — afternoon and evening golfers are usually more relaxed.

On occasion you may run into a serious handicapper playing after work but just let them play through if you feel you are hindering them.